Described by Charles Darwin as “one of the most wonderful plants in the world,” the Venus Flytrap is a captivating carnivorous plant that captures its prey with a snap-trap mechanism. It’s easy to grow with the right care and makes a fascinating addition to any collection, offering botanical intrigue and a great conversation starter.
Key Features
- Perennial Plant: Dies back to a basal rosette in the fall and regrows in spring.
- Selected Variety: The Big Mouth Venus Flytrap boasts large traps and a compact, ground-hugging habit.
- Size: Grows 2–3 inches tall (6–8 inches when flowering) and spreads up to 6 inches wide.
- Hardiness Zones: Thrives in USDA Zones 7, 8, and 9.
Flowering period
White flowers bloom in May in central North Carolina.
How to grow
Venus Flytraps thrive outdoors with proper care. Follow these guidelines to keep your plant healthy:
Light Requirements: Place in direct sunlight for at least 6 hours daily.
Soil: Use a 50:50 mix of Canadian peat moss and perlite for a peat-based growing medium.
Watering: Water only with rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water to avoid harmful minerals. Always keep the soil moist but avoid waterlogging and make sure the soil never dries out.
Dormancy: Allow plants to go dormant naturally in the fall by keeping them outdoors.
Tips for Growing Venus Flytraps In a Bog Garden: Plants tolerate temperatures down to at least 15°F when grown in bog gardens.
In Containers: Water by placing the pot in 1–2 inches of water for 1–2 hours daily during summer. During freezing weather (below 20°F), move plants temporaly to a garage, basement, or cool room.
Care and Maintenance
Flower Management: Remove the flower spike after the first bloom to encourage leaf growth.
Handle with Care: Avoid touching the traps unnecessarily, as this can weaken the plant.
Feeding: Feed only live insects—avoid scraps of meat or fertilizers, which can harm the plant.
Indoor Challenges: Plants grown indoors often suffer from inadequate light and low humidity.
Planting Guide
Where: Suitable for bog gardens or the container it was shipped in (for 1–2 seasons).
When: Plant outside after the last frost in spring.
Native habitat and range
The Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is native to the wet savannas and sandhill seepages of southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina. It thrives in peaty, sandy soils in these regions.
Source and origin
Each plant is propagated from mature plant divisions, ensuring multiple growth points and a robust start. Divisions are grown for at least one year before being offered for sale.
| States | Orders up to $50 | Orders $51 to $100 | Orders over $100 |
| AL, DE, GA, KY, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, and WV | $16 | $18 | $20 |
| AR, CT, FL, IL, IN, LA, MA, MI, MO, MS, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT, and WI | $18 | $20 | $22 |
| IA, KS, ME, MN, OK, and TX | $20 | $22 | $24 |
| CO, NE, ND, and SD | $22 | $24 | $26 |
Sorry, we can't ship plants outside of the continental United States or to AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT, and WA due to agriculture restrictions.
When will my order be shipped?All plants are shipped within two weeks of placing an order.
Is it okay to plant in the winter?Yes, as long as the soil is not frozen. Planting native perennials in winter and early spring gives your plants a head start before the summer heat arrives.
What if it’s too cold to plant where I live, but I want to buy a plant before it sells out?Dormant plants can safely be kept in a basement, garage, or cool room until you are ready to plant in late winter or early spring.
How will my plants get delivered?Most orders are shipped on Monday or Tuesday via UPS Ground, which depending on the destination takes between 1 to 4 days.
Are your plants shipped in their containers?Yes, all our plants are shipped in their growing containers. The majority are grown in containers that are 4.5 inches wide by 5 inches deep and 32 fl. oz. / 946 ml in volume.
Do you guarantee your plants?We guarantee our plants to be healthy, ready for planting and correctly named. We are not able to guarantee whether a plant will grow in your garden as there are too many circumstances that are beyond our control.
On rare occasions, a plant shipped dormant may fail to emerge from its dormancy. If this happens, please let us know. If you are concerned about a plant, please contact us within 14 days to let us know. If we can’t help you make it grow, we’ll send you a new plant or issue a refund.
You can return your plants if you no longer want them once they arrive. To receive a refund (minus 20% restocking fee) the plants must be returned in good condition. Return shipping is the customer’s responsibility.
Can I cancel my order?Yes, you can cancel your order. Please visit our terms and service page for details.
What about sales tax?We propagate our own plants and are not required to collect North Carolina sales tax.
Where can I find information about your plants?Here are some FAQ on how we grow plants.
